Method for using a bacillus subtilis or bacillus pumilus strain to treat or prevent pineapple disease

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling Ceratocystis spp. in a plant and/or reducing losses in harvested crops, the method comprising applying to a plant and/or locus for plant growth an effective amount of at least one biological control agent selected from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus , and metabolites produced therefrom. The present invention also encompasses the use of a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus , and metabolites produced therefrom for controlling Ceratocystis spp. in a plant.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling  Ceratocystis  spp. in a plant and/or reducing losses in harvested crops, the method comprising
 applying to a plant and/or locus for plant growth
 a) at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 deposited under NRRL Accession No. B-21661,  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808 deposited under NRRL Accession No. B-30087, and a mutant having all the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 or  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808; and 
 b) a chemical treatment selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, fluopyram, methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride, and combinations thereof; 
   wherein application of the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment produce a synergistic or superadditive effect in controlling  Ceratocystis  spp.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment are applied sequentially or simultaneously. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying to the plant and/or locus for plant growth an insecticide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the insecticide selected from the group consisting of Abamectin, Acephate, Acetamiprid, Acrinathrin, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Beta-Cyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Buprofezin, Clothianidin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran, Cyantraniliprole, Cyenopyrafen, Cyflumentofen, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran, Emamectin-benzoate, Ethiprole, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flometoquin, Flubendiamide, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Flupyradifurone, Gamma-Cyhalothrin, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Lufenuron, Metaflumizone, Methiocarb, Methoxyfenozide, Milbemectin, Profenofos, Pyflubumide, Pyrifluquinazone, Spinetoram, Spinosad, Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramate, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenpyrad, Tefluthrin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiodicarb, Triflumuron, 1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide, 1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine and Afidopyropen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Ceratocystis  spp. is  Ceratocystis paradoxa.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying is preceded by identifying that the plant and/or the locus for plant growth needs treatment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713,  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied to the plant and/or the locus for plant growth prior to planting and/or at planting. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant comprises propagation material selected from the group consisting of seedlings, rhizomes, nursery plants, cuttings, and seed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of sugarcane, pineapple, banana, cacao, coconut, and oil palm. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the plant is sugarcane. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713,  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied at a rate of about 4×10 11  to about 1×10 13  cfu per acre for soil drench treatments or 1×10 10  to about 1×10 12  cfu per 1000 row feet for in furrow treatments. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus subtilis  or  Bacillus pumilus  is applied to the soil in contact with plant roots or soil at a base of a plant. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713,  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied as a single application at a rate of about 1×10 5  to about 1×10 7  cfu per gram of soil. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological control agent is a fermentation product. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the fermentation product comprises  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 cells and/or cells of a mutant of  Bacillus subtilis  QST713, metabolites and residual fermentation broth. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the fermentation product comprises  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808 cells and/or cells of a mutant of  Bacillus pumilus  QST2808, metabolites and residual fermentation broth. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment results in an increased crop yield from the plant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is a combination of azoxystrobin and cyproconazole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is propiconazole.